Thomas Watson looked dazed, still in shock.

He didn't understand research, but he knew what Dr. Nan meant to the R&D team.

He picked up his phone to check the company's internal forum posts.

The situation had indeed reversed!

Those who had been cursing Alexander Vance for favoring the beautiful intern were now changing their tune:

— Shocked! Dr. Nan is the beautiful intern?

— So it was Mr. Vance who invited Dr. Nan to the company, not Vice President Julian Evans?

— Still calling him Vice President? Isn't he embarrassed? Didn't he get promoted to VP because he recommended Dr. Nan for technical support?

— He could only find someone for technical support, but Mr. Vance already brought her into the company! In comparison... suddenly Mr. Vance seems amazing!

— Ahh, I just asked R&D Team One. Dr. Nan has already left. Why did Vice President Evans do this? If he hadn't slandered the intern, Dr. Nan would still be helping anonymously, right?

…

Thomas was very satisfied, almost wanting to kneel in admiration for Evelyn Ross.

It wasn't until Alexander Vance spoke that Thomas hurriedly put down his phone and asked respectfully, "Boss, you're right. What mother would treat her own child so poorly? Throwing them out in middle school and not caring..."

Before he finished, Alexander's face darkened, his voice icy. "It's not unheard of."

Thomas:!!

He suddenly realized he had said the wrong thing!

The boss's mother was exactly like that…

He quickly changed the subject. "Boss, you still have a meeting with President Roland about the project."

"Mm."

Alexander didn't continue the topic and led Thomas to the top floor.

At the elevator entrance, Isabella Ashcroft was clutching Julian Evans's arm, pleading. "Julian, I really didn't know what was happening. Evelyn must have hidden her identity on purpose to mock me..."

Julian pushed her away, disgusted. "Isabella, she's not that kind of person. I know her from four years of university. I suspect Dr. Nan never actually agreed to be a technical consultant for the Vance Group, did she?"

Isabella froze.

Julian said angrily, "Proposing to you was a mistake..."

Isabella cried out in panic, "Julian!"

Julian continued, "Tomorrow, I will come to break off the engagement."

Isabella clenched her fists.

Just then, the elevator door dinged open. Ryan Roland stepped out with his secretary.

Seeing him, Julian's expression changed. "President Roland?"

The elegant and gentle Ryan paused.

Julian smiled. "I'm Julian Evans. I heard from my uncle that our families are collaborating."

Ryan nodded slightly, polite yet distant. "So you're the young Mr. Evans. I have business with your Mr. Vance."

Julian awkwardly stepped aside. "Please go ahead..."

Suddenly, a surprised voice spoke.

"You... are Ryan Roland?"

They turned to see Isabella looking shocked.

She hadn't expected the girl's brother from the hospital to be Ryan Roland?!

Ryan didn't recognize her and asked politely, "And you are?"

He seemed approachable, but his words held distance.

Isabella's eyes flickered. She smiled. "Have you forgotten, Mr. Roland? San Francisco General Hospital. Your sister. The phone call..."

Ryan was stunned. "You're the one who called... our benefactor?"

Isabella smiled, linking arms with Julian and tacitly confirming. "Mr. Roland, this is my fiancé."

Ryan finally looked at Julian seriously. "Young Mr. Evans, what a coincidence."

His gaze swept over Isabella. He suddenly said, "I'm discussing business with Mr. Vance. Would you care to join us, young Mr. Evans?"

Ryan knew about the Vance family situation and hadn't planned to get involved with the main branch.

But if Julian was the fiancé of his sister's benefactor... he had to help.

After all, the Roland family owed their benefactor a life!

Julian was flattered.

Without Dr. Nan, his position in R&D was awkward.

The Rolands were a powerful family from New York. Ryan personally inviting him to participate in the collaboration would significantly boost his standing in the company!

He glanced at Isabella and patted her hand meaningfully. "Isabella, I'll go handle this. I'll take you ring shopping tomorrow."

Isabella breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay."

She was determined to marry Julian!

After Ryan walked away, he took out his phone. He found the saved number of their benefactor and sent a text: [Miss Xu, when are you free? My sister and I would like to invite you and your fiancé for a casual meal.]

…

Evelyn's phone buzzed while she was being stopped in the lobby by the Vice President and Dean of San Francisco University.

She glanced at it and saw a message from a familiar number.

Sensitive to numbers, she quickly recalled it belonged to "Chloe's" brother.

Evelyn also wanted to know what happened after that day. She replied: [This weekend.]

After sending it, she realized something was wrong. Since when did she have a fiancé?

"Dr. Nan, you graduated from San Francisco University. You understand our teaching philosophy. We sincerely invite you to return as a faculty member..."

The Vice President was earnest. "Please consider it."

Evelyn looked up, tired of pleasantries. She said directly, "I was planning to accept, as Professor Lowell mentored me. But now he's suspended, and I heard his graduate students are being treated unfairly."

The Dean's face stiffened. "Dr. Nan, that's a misunderstanding... I didn't know you were Dr. Nan..."

The Vice President immediately cut him off. "Quiet! Even an ordinary student shouldn't be expelled without a formal verdict! Dr. Nan, we will deal strictly with those responsible. As for Professor Lowell... He has nurtured so many outstanding talents over the years. I think he is very suitable for the position of Dean of the New Energy Science Institute. What do you think?"

Evelyn was very satisfied!

She quickly reached an agreement with the Vice President.

Isabella arrived downstairs and saw this scene of harmonious conversation.

She clenched her fists tightly.

Watching the Vice President's respectful attitude toward Dr. Nan, intense jealousy surged within her!!

After some discussion, the Vice President and Dean left.

James Klein had gone to get the car. Evelyn waited by the entrance.

Isabella strode over, unable to hide her spite and disgust. "Evelyn, do you know why I hate you?"

Evelyn ignored her.

Isabella continued, "I heard from Aunt Linda that your computer password is my mother's birthday?"

Evelyn slowly lowered her gaze.

So Linda knew her so well. That's how she could easily access her computer.

Isabella stepped closer, her voice accusatory and venomous. "Don't you have your own mother? Why use my mother's birthday as your password? Don't think I don't know your little schemes toward my mother. Coveting someone else's mother, how disgusting are you?"

She said each word clearly. "Have you fantasized about taking my place? Dream on! My mother will always be mine. She has nothing to do with you! Stop your wishful thinking!!"

Evelyn stood frozen. A wave of panic suddenly washed over her.

Her dark, hidden thoughts were exposed. For a moment, she felt utterly ashamed.

…

Evelyn sat in James's sports car. The cold wind tousled her hair but couldn't disperse her thoughts.

She had always envied Isabella for having such a gentle, kind mother.

As a child, she无数次 dreamed of being Isabella. Mrs. Ashcroft combing her hair, telling stories. She nestled in Mrs. Ashcroft's arms, greedily clinging to her warmth...

She carefully restrained and suppressed her longing for Mrs. Ashcroft. After leaving the Ashcroft home, she never saw her again. Yet, like some obsessed person, she used those passwords.

Watching the roadside scenery recede, she suddenly smiled bitterly. She picked up her phone, opened the password change settings, and entered a new password: 1234.

When the screen showed the change was successful, she felt an emptiness in her heart.

She shouldn't crave Mrs. Ashcroft's motherly love. She didn't deserve to disrupt her life...

Her eyes stung slightly.

Evelyn tilted her head back slightly, hiding the moisture at the corners of her eyes.

Just then, James's phone rang.

He answered. A voice came through: "James, about that secret regarding the boss's uncle, Leo Lowell, that she wanted investigated... I found something!"